HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID

The U.S. Justice Department's probe into the Calvin Klein "kiddie porn" campaign appears to be stalled over the question of whether models in the ads actually were underage.

"Attorneys for the child exploitation and obscenity section have been in contact with the attorneys for Calvin Klein. They voluntarily gave us information that we are assessing and that's where it stands," said Justice spokesman John Russell.

However, a knowledgeable source said the information concerns ages of models. Whether they actually were not minors but portrayed as juveniles is unclear.

Justice confirmed its investigation last month after public derision of the campaign, pulled by Mr. Klein in late August, and charges by the Rev. Donald Wildmon that one model was 16 and another 15. News shows at the time also described one model, Delancey Bezin, as 15.

Since September, the FBI has been waiting for a referral of the case.

In the meantime, Mr. Klein has moved on to his next ad image, 20-year-old Joel West, now spreading his legs in print and outdoor ads, created in-house, for underwear.

That dramatic pose has confused some consumers who think what they're seeing is last summer's controversial jeans campaign. But the Justice Department knows better. "Joel West doesn't bother us," said Mr. Russell.